Rock carvings found in north Vietnam

A set of carved boulders have been discovered in the north Vietnamese province of Yen Bai, thought to be made in the 16th or 17th centuries. Carved boulders are known in other nearby provinces such as Lao Cai and Ha Giang, but it is not known if they are related.

Around 20 big stones with figures carved on these and dating as far back as 16th or 17th century have been discovered recently by scientists from the Yen Bai Province’s museum.

The stones, measuring between two cubic metres and 50 cubic metres, were found scattered in various communes of Che Cu Nha, La Pan Tau, Lao Chai and De Xu Phinh.

Figures carved on the stones includes images of terrace rice fields, flamingos, horses, astrological maps, yin-yang and five basic elements’ symbols and mysterious lines, believed to be some kind of ancient characters.